Posted by Meri-Tuuli on December 19, 2005, at 18:28:55
In reply to Anxiety vs NHS, posted by gillettecavalcade on December 19, 2005, at 15:39:41
Hey there!
I have to agree with Tom - the NHS is particulary bad when it comes to mental health, esp depression and/or aniexty.
Its really awful. I get sooo frustrated by it. For instance, two of my friends have overdosed on prescription medicines and had to go to hospital etc ... are they being seen by a pdoc as a result of said overdose? NO WAY!
They just go to their GP and get presribed SSRIs. We just don't get the help we need to lead productive, fulfilling lives.
BUT it would be a different story if we had mild asmtha - at my health centre there is all kinds of clinics help etc availble for asmtha. But mental illness? No way. And the thing is, it really really really affects our daily lives! Its not as if its an 'inconvenience' or whatever. And this is the thing I don't get - a couple of weeks ago I went into my local Waterstone's and picked up the green book thing (it used to be purple) that advises GPs on the medicines they prescribe - you know, GPs have it on their desk, and its their bible and constantly scabble about in it.
For aniexty, it specifically says that benzos should be avoided at all costs, particulary in people who haven't used them before and if they are used, they should only be given for short term only. Of couse, if you're already addicted, then you're okay.
But thats not my point. What are GPs supposed to prescribe for anxiety then? If benzos are out whats availble? BuSpar? I tried that with my GP but he said that is was similar to the benzos. And he wouldn't give it to me. Hmmm he's oblviously not very knowledgeable. So what do you get if you have major anxiety for long periods of time then? Do GPs relent and give you benzos for short term use only? I don't know. I don't get it. Sigh.
I just can't believe that we can't get the drugs we need because of the way the NHS works. Like MAOIs. Like stimilants. Like so many things.....
There must be soo many people who can't get the meds they need - and they don't even know it!
If you have severe depression/anxiety GPs don't really seem to refer you to a pdoc. They just put you on a SSRI and send you on your way. But thats not enough! You need to see a pdoc! But many people who don't know enough trust their GPs and don't question them and don't realise that their lives could be much better if they got the proper help they need. They put up with the SSRIs and don't seem to question that. Thats whats happened to my two overdosing friends - I know their lives are completely impaired, stunted even - all because they don't get the help they need. I try and help, but its hard. One of them won't admit she even has a problem, so talking shop is difficult!
Anyway, I am deeply jealous of prescribing patterns of some of our friends here on pbabble, partilcury the Americans/Canadians - it seems that they can get the meds they need. Sometimes I see some of their med regimens and my eyes nearly pop out of my head! Five different pmeds are used and obviously its to the patients' benefit.
There is a MAJOR gap in healthcare threatment here for people with severe depression/anxiety just going to their GPs and getting the bog standard SSRIs (which aren't particulary effective) and just putting up with it. They don't go to a pdoc, and don't get help, yet their lives are severly impaired by their mental health. (Sorry, I should say 'our' because I am one of them!)
Sorry about the rant folks - I'm very VERY frustrated with the whole system at the moment. I just want the help that I/we deserve.
Much love
Meri
xx
poster:Meri-Tuuli
thread:590415
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20051211/msgs/590468.html